How to make a windows application as web application

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Hi Guys,

I've developed a word Addin which is connecting to DB and can add results to word document.

But the question is, i want to deploy it on the Web server so that everybody can access it, so it should be like a web page now.

I know it can be installed to PC by downloading... We don't want that. A user should access it from web server and do his functions like Outlook web access.

Is there any way for this?

Please help me out. Thanks.

Regards
srinivas

Posted 30-Mar-11 4:48am

Srinivas39

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Espen Harlinn · Answer 1 · 2011-03-30T09:23:00

Solution 3

You've developed a Word Addin which is connecting to DB and can add results to word document. As Word is a desktop application, and your addin requires Word it sound like you're out of luck unless you consider redoing it as a Sharepoint part. Inserting something from a database into a word document inside SharePoint is doable inside a reasonable timeframe. There are other options, but Sharepoint is probably your best alternative as you're code will depend on libraries from Microsoft to perform the document manipulation.

This search on google[^], can probably help to clear things up a bit.

Good luck!
Espen Harlinn

Posted 30-Mar-11 9:23am

Espen Harlinn

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 30-Mar-11 15:29pm

I agree about your concerns about Word and the Sharepoint-based approach. My 5.
However, using Word at server-side only is still possible. I doubt it make any sense though, I would suggest getting away of Office while migrating toward Web, but who knows if it can be considered?
--SA

thatraja 30-Mar-11 21:34pm

Fine answer Espen.

Srinivas39 31-Mar-11 7:58am

Thank you Espen, let me check how your solution work for me.

Srinivas39 1-Apr-11 10:29am

Hi Espen, I tried with sharepoint server... But here the data is getting pass through not the functionality like Word Addins installed on server. I want the functionality also to be pass through :(, Is it Possible?

walterhevedeich · Answer 2 · 2011-03-30T06:05:00

Solution 1

Virtualization is the key. Having your application virtualized, users are able to use the application just by accessing it on the portal. The application is installed on the server where the portal is installed so users dont need the application installed in their systems. They just need to access the portal and click the icon of the application for them to use it. For us, we are using Citrix[^] for our desktop applications. There are tons of virtualization solutions in the market but perhaps you need to be familiar about the concept first.

Posted 30-Mar-11 6:05am

walterhevedeich

v2

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 30-Mar-11 13:55pm

Did you pay attention for the fact OP wants to start from existing WPF application?
For that reason, I suggested ASP.NET to be much closer. (Please see my Answer.)

However, if you still can argue in favor of Virtualization even if you take this into account, I would be interested if you tell about that. (Yes, I understand the general value of Virtualization, but how about this particular case?)

Thank you very much.
--SA

walterhevedeich 31-Mar-11 3:54am

Yes I paid attention. In fact, he mentioned that he "developed". That means most of the features, if not all, are all done. I think what you are suggesting was for him to make a rework on his app and transform it to a web application. However, I think the question was whether it was possible for him to deploy it on the web server, not tailoring the app. We have used Citrix to virtualize our windows applications so users can access it just by logging to the portal. If you understand the value of virtualization, then you might as well can see the difference of recoding the app vs. having it virtualized(through Citrix for example). And please dont get confused on OS virtualization(something like remote desktop) and Application virtualization. What I was sharing with OP was the second one. And it doesnt actually require re writing the code. I dont want to start a flame war here. Im just sharing my 2 cents. :)

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 31-Mar-11 12:50pm

Thank you very much for the explanation.
(Yes, I did not mean OS virtualization, of course.)
--SA

Srinivas39 31-Mar-11 8:00am

Thanks for your reply, We are also using Citrix here. But i donno how to approach for that. Can i get any sample code for that? Thanks

walterhevedeich 31-Mar-11 8:25am

There are actually lots of information about deployment if you "google" it, or better yet, ask the team who handles Citrix in your workplace. There's no sample code since what we are talking here is placing your app in the server for users to access. But basically, here is how it works(which I think you are quite familiar with since you mentioned that you are using it).
1. You setup your server where the app will be installed.
2. After your app is installed, expose it in Citrix.
3. After it has been exposed, you can have the users access the application through a webpage(I believe this is the part that you are familiar with).

IMO, this would work. But there are lots of other virtualization approaches that you may want to consider. I suggest you try to do some research and familiarize yourself about it before implementing. :)

Srinivas39 31-Mar-11 8:45am

Thank you walter.. I like this approach... let me try how it helps me...

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Answer 3 · 2011-03-30T07:52:00

Both Virtualization and re-working your code into Web application means re-writing most of the code. The model of a Web application is very different from a desktop application. The reason for it is the stateless nature of HTTP protocol.

I hope you used good isolation of the UI from the rest of your application: universal and domain-specific functionality; in this case you task is much easier. If you start with existing WPF application, I would not recommend Virtualization. You probably can be more successful with ASP.NET. Many of the UI constructs would look pretty much similar (even though bearing completely different meaning). You can start from here: http://www.asp.net/[^].

—SA